Emily Kraft

Emily Virginia Kraft, born July 5, 1922 went to her heavenly home in the arms of angels on Monday, April 15, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents: Albert and Mary Hoffer; seven siblings. Emily will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Marion (John) Shimel; sister-in-law, Karen Hoffer; many nieces and nephews and ex-husband, George Kraft. A graduate of South High School, Emily attended Mercy School of Nursing in Toledo and Toledo University. Her first job was at Saint Mary’s Hospital in 1952. She worked for an allergist for a couple of years before deciding to foray into the field of industrial medicine, working at the Doehler-Jarvis Division of the National Lead Co. and Lear Siegler in the 1950’s and early 60’s. She then got a call from Steelcase. They said they didn’t have a medical department, the person they needed would have to start from scratch, and they would have to depend solely on her judgment. Emily, a pioneer in occupation health nursing in West Michigan, founded the Steelcase Medical Department and turned its growth from a one room one person department to a modern 14,000 square foot facility with a staff of 27. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held will be held 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1935 Plymouth SE, Grand Rapids, with Rev. Troy Nevins officiating. Burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Relatives and friends may meet the family at the church on Wednesday from 10-11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to IHM Church.